ART TOUR:

Discover China through its art, textiles and history.

A tour for artists and art lovers.

Template. Please register your interest with China Birds.

Enjoy seeing the sights whilst learning about art, having art lessons and meeting artists. Your group can choose the tour dates so that everyone is happy. We can give you advice about weather, and also point out when there are times to avoid (major holidays), which may impact on the tour. We can modify the tour to suit your needs.

Leave Melbourne at around midnight by Singapore Airlines arrive Singapore after 7-8 hour flight. Transit in Singapore, arrive Shanghai's Pudong International Airport in early afternoon. Met by local tour guide and, after loading the luggage onto the coach we will then try the magnetic train which is the fastest in the world ( speed 320KM/ph). Arrive at station and coach will meet us. Transfer to hotel and check in. On the way enjoy city views, contrast the old areas with newly developed Pudong. Take a break and enjoy the facilities of the hotel, such as the swimming pool and spa. Picked up by the tour guide then transferred to dinner. See the lights as we take a stroll along the famous Bund, which is the area along the Huangpu River. You can see older-style European buildings such as the Peace Hotel. (D)

After breakfast visit Textile Market and then Shanghai Museum, the latter is located in Peoples' Square. After lunch, visit Monalisa Stitch or similar business to buy embroidery materials and kits. Meet a local artist in a tea house where you can chat about art over a cup of refreshing green tea. Next, visit a new area called Tian Zhi Fang. This is an artists' enclave, with small avant garde galleries, art supply shops and small coffee bars. Tian Zhi Fang is in an old part of Shanghai with small laneways and older style houses. Enjoy browsing or buying and then find a cafe or restaurant, as this evening we will be finding our own dinner. Tour guide and coach will wait for you until 08;30, and transferred back to hotel. (B,L,)

To avoid the peak hour, will be picked up in hotel lobby at 9;00 and depart for Suzhou by coach. Arrive Suzhou before lunch. Lunch is at the Silk Factory Restaurant. See how silk is made from silk worm to finished product at the No 1 Silk Factory. Time to choose a silk souvenir or gift. Visit the Embroidery Institute. Enjoy a walk around Jinji Lake in the evening. (B,L,D).

Day 05 Suzhou Painting lessons, garden tours, sketching.

Visit Traditional Chinese Painting college. Take a lesson to learn basic Chinese painting. Class starts from 10;00 and finishes at 11;45. After lunch visit two Chinese gardens ( Suzhou is famous for beautiful gardens). Bring your sketch pads because we will be sketching in one of the gardens ( the art school will nominate which garden). Our teacher from the morning class will join us there for around 1 hour. Finish garden tour and sketching in late afternoon. Walk around the city and back to the hotel after dinner. (B,L,D)

Today we get an understanding of why Suzhou is called the "Venice of the Orient". We visit Shantang Street, an old Suzhou street, live the life, and go by boat along the canal. Houses are built close to the water and we will enjoy the sights. We arive at Tiger Hill by boat, and enjoy the gardens. This place is lovely in any season. It is an easy walk to the historic pagoda. Drive back to Shanghai, and back to hotel after dinner. ( B,L,D)

Day 07 Shanghai/Xi'an Hu County: Farmers' art

Fly to Xi'an. Upon arrival met by local guide then transferred to have lunch. Now for something different. We will visit Hu County, about 38 kms from Xi'an. This area is known for its Farmer or Peasant art. We will visit the exhibition hall and learn the story of the farmers and see their art. Enjoy the trip to the countryside, if you want photos, our coach can stop ( if it is safe). Back to Xi'an city for dinner. Walk around the Tang Ever Bright City, which is a recreation of the city in the Tang Dynasty. (B,L,D).

In morning visit Tangbo Art Museum and enjoy the paintings and take a calligraphy lesson. Fly to Beijing in afternoon. Dinner and then hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 10 Beijing Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square

Temple of Heaven in the morning. As well as the superb temple complex with its blue tiled roofs, you will see the local people dancing, playing music, performing Chinese opera, doing tai chi and playing shuttlecock. A good way for them to get exercise and meet their friends. After lunch, visit Forbidden City and walk around Tiananmen Square. (B,L,D)

Day 11 Beijing Gaobeidian Village. Silk Street

Visit Gaobeidian Village, meet the people and learn Chinese crafts, They have a wonderful art and craft centre here. Have lunch at the village in a private house. Have a look around the village, visit the middle school and the market. This area is well known for the many shops and small factories which make traditional Chinese furniture. We will check them out. Also, time for shopping at Silk Street ( yes, they have an art section). (B,L,D)

Day 12 Beijing Great Wall, Mutianyu Section, 798 art area.

Day trip to Great Wall, Mutianyu Section. Not so many tourists in that area. Leave hotel at 08;30. Take your sketch pad - you can do some sketching there. If free, Zhou Mian can join us for the day and also sketch. Back to city after lunch and visit 798 art area. This area used to be a munitions factory precinct. Now there are small galleries, studios, eateries and interesting shops. After dinner, optional tour to visit Lao She Tea House. (B,L,D)

Day 13 Beijing/Melbourne ( via Singapore)

Free in the morning. Collected at around lunch time, and transferred to airport. Leave for Singapore late evening, transit there, leave for Melbourne .(B)

Day 14 Melbourne

Arrive Melbourne, at around 9.00 a.m..

Note: This itinerary can be changed to suit a group and it's interests.

This tour is aimed at art groups, or groups of friends or like-minded people who may enjoy a tour with an art focus. Please contact us to discuss arrangements. Costs will be different because of time of year, and number of people travelling in the group. Cost will include airfares, accommodation, most meals, visa fee, transport within China, tuition fees, local guides, all sightseeing- all as per the itinerary. It will be fully escorted ex-Melbourne.